A tribute to Hilary’s love of music

Gillian Loney

A concert series launches at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland this month in memory of a piano teacher who taught generations of southside musicians.

Hilary Rosin, a Giffnock resident and wife of the former provost Leslie Rosin, passed away last year from Alzheimer’s.

Leslie — an Eastwood councillor for 28 years — told The Extra: “Hilary was an inspiring and engaging piano teacher who brought generations of young people and their families together with her infectious enthusiasm and skilful teaching.”

The music teacher — who would go on to be a fellow and honorary member of London’s Victoria College of Music — started playing at the age of four and, by age 11, had found her vocation by teaching other children how to play.

With Hilary’s long-standing support of the Royal Conservatoire, Leslie suggested a coffee concert series as the first of many sponsorship ideas — and the result is an autumn programme of events held in her memory and focusing on the works of Romantic composer Robert Schumann.

The first, on October 25, opens with RCS principal professor Jeffrey Sharkey and East Renfrewshire musicians Kanako Ito and Martin Storey on violin and cello for Schumann’s Piano Trio No. 1.

Subsequent performances take place on November 1, 8 and 15.

All start at 11.30am, with tickets costing £5-£10 from 332 5057 or www.rcs.ac.uk/box-office and including complimentary tea, coffee and cake.